Who we are

Dans Vans was born out of a personal project in May of 2020 that quickly grew into a professional service as the need for custom van conversions and conversion solutions grew. Dans Vans is committed to finding creative and affordable solutions in the Van conversion space.

Offering full conversions, consultation, troubleshooting, and part jobs.

About the founder

Daniel is a Montana native who moved to Bozeman from Missoula for college. After finishing a Chemical Engineering degree in 2016 he wasn’t ready to commit to the typical 9-5 engineering lifestyle, and spent a few years working for friends' businesses and in the service industry. All while dedicating a lot of time and energy to mountain sports, climbing, skiing, etc. Eventually he built a van conversion for himself during the onset of Covid, and found he had a passion for designing and building small, sustainable living spaces. He continues to explore this passion through the outlet of Dans Vans, while continuing to enjoy the wide open spaces Montana, and the world has to offer.

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FAQs

How much does a van conversion cost?

This is a complex question, the simple answer is there is a range! Typically from $30,000-$50,000. When most people think of a van conversion they think of a bed, a working kitchen, cabinetry, and likely a heater and fan. If you choose one of our spec builds we can give you all those features for lower on that range, while a custom build will typically land higher. We are proud of offering one of the best price points in the industry for the features we provide in our builds.

How long will it take to build my van?

The usual timeline from start to finish of a project is around 2 months currently.

Do you provide the van?

We generally ask our clients to provide the van for the conversion. This allows them to get better financing (from the dealership or bank) if they are purchasing a new van. And simplifies the process for us. We are of course happy to help out if you are interested in the used market and can offer advice/assistance in finding a good deal.

What van should I buy?

For a high roof van, which will be the best canvas for us to create your conversion, there are 3 main models. The Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, and Ram Promaster. Currently the Transit and Sprinter have AWD options while the Promaster does not. These all come in different lengths, or wheelbases. The 144 Sprinter and 136 Promaster are going to be the shortest vans of these options, suitable for a couple or solo traveler who wants a more simple build. The 154 Promaster and 148 Transit are going to be a great size for a more comfortable/open layout or a family.

And then the extended options of these models will allow for more flexibility in layout for things like a shower, more seating, etc. The Promaster is the cheapest van on the market, followed by the Transit, and then the Sprinter.

Depending on your needs any of these vans could be a great fit! AWD is certainly a nice feature, though I have driven and owned a Promaster for many years now and find it to be an extremely capable vehicle, though it does have the worst clearance for those bumpy dirt roads. We are always happy to talk through these options and offer advice in the buying process.